We were treated to a fabulous assembly on Friday with Otters sharing all that they'd learnt on the Celts and Stone Age period. Dressed in tunics, sheep fleeces and skins and donning shields they'd made, the children not only looked the part but also explained this period of ancient history through a series of short role plays and excellent presentations. It was all very enjoyable and a real pleasure to watch. Thank you Otters.

This week has provided a great opportunity for cross cultural discussion and learning. Visitors from our Indian School have been in and out of classrooms all week, sharing customs and taking part in lessons. We had an interesting question and answer session with Owls class today, with questions like 'What is the national sport of India?', 'Do you have earthquakes and tsunamis?' and 'Do you like Britain and our school?' When asked if the children would like to visit India, the overwhelming response was 'YES!'. We will continue with this brilliant project, with planned collaborative activities in every class over the next two years. We would like to thank the British Council for their generous funding through the Connecting Classrooms award.

Can you make 24 from the card below? You have to use all of the numbers but each only once and you can use any of the four rules. That was the challenge set for nine Y3-5 Horsley pupils on Friday. They competed against Leighterton School and the pace was fast and furious, particularly in the sudden death round. A specific mention goes to Marcus who happily filled a space on the Leighterton team who also happened to win.... a worthwhile move Marcus! Congratulations to both teams whose attitude, teamwork and enthusiasm (and their mental maths skills) were exemplary.

It's always a pleasure taking our children away as they get so much out of spending their first days away from Mum and Dad and on holiday with so many friends. Owls took part in kayaking, mountain biking, abseiling, a stream walk and a visit to the beach in Somerset. The best bit was getting soaked and utterly covered in mud! Otters stayed more local and visited Nympsfield, Coaley Peak and Uley Long Barrow, with the Y4s managing to complete a 5 mile walk and a night away in Slimbridge. Thanks to the teachers for giving up their time to organise and manage these residential trips. The children loved every moment.

James Aburrow, an LTA tennis coach from Minchinhampton tennis club ran a taster coaching session for Otters and Badgers last week. It was fantastic to see so many children enjoying the new surface and hitting balls at such a young age. Thanks James! He is offering trial sessions on Tuesday 2nd June at King George V playing fields in Nailsworth. 8 and under at 4pm. 9 and 10 year olds at 5pm. 11 year to 16 years at 6pm.

Despite the weather on Thursday, Otters have had a fabulous one and a half day Stone Age to Celt extravaganza. On Thursday, they researched the Stone Age and Iron Age diet, designed menus and prepared vegetables for an amazing stone age meal. Some of the children also researched how to build Stone Age Shelters. On Friday, Otters put everything they had learned into practice at Redwood. Like Bronze Age people (when farming really took off), they made their own bread and wrapped it around the sticks they had whittled. The children cooked the dampers over an open fire and sat around the fire to eat them, with their luscious home made stew bubbling away on the flames. Finally, they made 4 fabulous shelters, with wooden frames, but lacking the mud, feathers and stitched together animal skins. What a great day!

Toby, as the oldest boy in the school, played Jack in the Green this year and welcomed in the summer for us all on May Day. Covered in a cage of beech leaves he led us down to Washpool, where we were treated to further poetry, song and music. The May Queen, Eowyn, made a beautiful entrance alongside her two princesses, accompanied by Lily on her flute. Flower arches of decorated willow were carried by children from Otters class, and formed a tunnel for all to pass through into Horsley Mill. We were then entertained with some traditional English country dancing from the children, and also an Indian dance from Foxes. The parents enthusiastically (well mostly!) joined in and we finished with some excellent refreshments provided by Ruskin Mill. Our thanks goes to them and also to Mark Wallis, for his lively melodeon accompaniment, as well as to all of our musicians.

Amelia in Y4 took on the 'Walk in her shoes' challenge just before the Easter holidays to support women and girls in developing countries, who from as young as 3 years have to spend their days walking to fetch water for their family. Amelia managed to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day (about 5 miles) over the week. She raised a tremendous £260.65 for the charity, CARE International which helps to provide safe water nearer to families who currently have to trek for miles every day to fetch water. What an achievement Amelia, we are very proud of you!

Josephine, Woody, Yasmin, Eden, Felix R and Pearl took part in a gymnastics competition held at Thomas Keble on Monday 16th March. It was a serious event with a set routine to learn and two vaults each. Judges were looking for pointed toes, good posture, excellent body control as well as core strength. The children put 100% effort in and performed well. Many had practised the moves over the weekend to give it their very best shot. They couldn't resist showing off their gymnastics skills for the camera!